Happy New Year.

No sign of snow at lower levels yet although there is some to be seen on the higher mountains. The temperatures have been fluctuating between -5C and +5C with sharp frosts one day and rain the next. The lochs above us are still frozen and, judging by all the rocks resting on top of the ice, attempts to break it have been unsuccessful. Loch Ness never freezes as it is so deep. Very low cloud formations at times which lock in the cold air. The 'Lord of the Glens' cruise liner took passengers on a week long trip over Christmas and it glided past us yesterday on its return voyage to Inverness lit up with fairy lights from bow to stern. The Jacobite Queen and Jacobite Legend have been in action [apart from Christmas Day] taking passengers to Urquhart Castle and back to Inverness. No private craft in operation over the winter months.

A swarm of long tailed tits have descended on the nut feeders in the garden - exactly the same time as last year.

A huge skein of geese suddenly took flight from a field as we were driving along making a terrific noise and possibly on their way to the western isles. Happy New Year everybody.